Category: Student Life
Boston University Engineering Students and CELOP
The College of Engineering at Boston University, in collaboration with CELOP, is committed to developing the skills for success both as graduate students and future employees. The Global Engineering Career Readiness Program is a customized, four-week summer immersion program designed to prepare international students for success in the Masters’ program and their future careers.
Global Engineering Career Readiness Program is a collaborative effort of multiple staff, faculty, students and corporate partners. Watch the video to learn more about it.
“The English language instruction was really useful, but the information about American culture, humor, news and what to expect in the classroom was even more valuable. I feel better prepared for my classes in the fall.”
Xiao – Master’s student in Materials Science and Engineering, People’s Republic of China
CELOP Students Volunteer for a Community Service Center
CELOP offers students the opportunity to participate in activities around Boston. This helps students learn more about American culture while helping them improve their English.
On October 24, Branch Out collaborated with students from CELOP to volunteer with Higher Ground Farm. You can read more about how our students helped out by clicking here.
CELOP students pulling arugula and mustard plants after the last harvest of the season.
Halloween at CELOP
Abdulaziz Mass shows off his break dancing skills.
The CELOP Halloween Costume Contest is an annual tradition, but this year we were offered a special treat along with the great costumes.
While waiting for the contest to begin, the audience was treated to a spontaneous break dance performance by Abdulaziz Mass.
Abdulaziz is a self-taught dancer who recently performed at a BU event. The other contestants caught the dance fever.
We saw dancing cats, a dancing Waldo,and dancing witches. Congratulations to the winners - Kelly Vargas as a zombie disco dancer, Kazuki Ariyama as Waldo (from "Where's Waldo") and first place winners Miharu Katsuragi and Marino Shimofurachi as Snow White and minion!
First place winners and friends.
Mr. Waldo, the second place winner.
CELOP College Fair Appreciated by All
On Wednesday, October 7th, CELOP hosted its ninth College and University Fair. The Fair took place in the CELOP Lobby from 3 to 5 pm. CELOP prepares international students to enroll at Boston-area schools, including the New England Conservatory of Music and Wentworth Institute of Technology; and at BU schools and colleges, where students pursue degrees in fields including Economics, Engineering, Law, and many others. About 250 students from CELOP attended the Fair.
CELOP students learning about Bunker Hill Community College.
Many of the admissions representatives were surprised "at how many of the students had questions about graduate programs". One student from Saudi Arabia "enjoyed the opportunity to learn about schools offering (his) major in the area."
Students discussing options with MCPHS.
All CELOP students have access to our Academic Advisor who helps students with the university application process. The College and University Fair is one way we provide students with the opportunity to learn more about undergraduate and graduate programs in Boston and New England.
Over 200 students came to learn about 14 institutions from around New England.
International Education Week
International Education Week (IEW) is a joint initiative of the U.S. Departments of State and Education and is celebrated in more than 100 countries worldwide. IEW is meant to generate enthusiasm, broaden horizons, spark new dialogues, and encourage new ideas to expand international perspectives. Boston University's Global Programs celebrated IEW from November 12th through the 22nd by holding different events around campus.
On November 18th, BU Global Programs, CELOP, Study Abroad, ISSO and Marsh Chapel joined together to host the "Cultural Exchange: Ideas, Questions and Stories from Around the World" event. The event was well attended by many students and held in BU's George Sherman Union.
The event was a cross between an information fair and speed-dating. The activities were designed to introduce international exchange students, including CELOP students, here on campus to those who are preparing to study abroad or take part in an exchange program. Students walking into the event were treated to a language exchange from native speakers from Lebanon, Japan, China and Germany. Students then rotated from one table to the next in order to learn about the culture from the different countries represented at each table.
The cultural exchange was indeed a university-wide celebration of BU's global engagement.
Seventh Annual College and University Fair
CELOP recently held its Seventh Annual College and University Fair on October 22nd. A majority of the students that attend CELOP choose the "English for Academic Purposes" concentration. Many of these students hope to begin undergraduate or graduate programs in the Boston area. This fair offered students the opportunity to meet with representatives from a variety of local colleges and universities to help answer questions and determine if their school would be a good match.
Student who recently completed high school and others with a Bachelor’s degree from their home countries came out in high numbers. The fair was well attended and as many as 80 students filled the lobby, making sure to review information booklets and fill out information cards. Colleges and universities that offered both undergraduate and graduate programs sent representatives who helped answer questions about either degree.
All CELOP students have access to academic advising with a dedicated advisor. Faculty are also committed to helping students improve their English to meet their academic goals. The College and University Fair is just one example of how CELOP provides students with opportunities to further their academic career.
CELOP Welcomes Fall 2013 Students
CELOP welcomed hundreds of students from over 35 countries for the Fall 2013 Semester. A majority of the students checked-in over two days on September 18th and 19th. The check-in process started with the Admissions staff checking immigration information and making sure each students was registered for their preferred program. As students checked-in, they also met with CELOP faculty and advisors to get help and advice on their classes. However, it wasn't all about class as CELOP's Student Life Coordinator was there to tell students about exciting activities and tours around Boston and Boston University.
Many students also showed up for the Welcome Party on Friday, September 20th. There was food, music and even games. Students were given an "ice-breaker" game that encouraged them to introduce themselves and speak with someone they had not met yet. Prizes, including CELOP t-shirts, were given out to students that won the game.
CELOP welcomes all our new and continuing students and we hope you have a great fall semester!
CELOP Welcomes Summer Students
The arrival of new CELOP students was celebrated at a welcome party, after the students participated in a hard but exhilarating scavenger hunt that helped them learn more about Boston University's campus. The party included food items like sushi, cheese, fruit, and sandwiches. Some CELOP faculty and staff were introduced to the students, and students got to know one another by playing a bingo game. "Do you speak more than three languages?" and "Do you have 20 cousins or more?" were some questions students asked of one another as they learned more about each other.
This activity and others like it can build a sense of "home away from home" for students. Jasim Alsaifi, a new CELOP student from Kuwait, talked about this. "It's friendly. I don't feel like I am away from my home. I feel like I am at home. Everyone cooperates with me and helps me - students, teachers, or staff. Everyone is happy with this activity." Judging from the comfortable smiles and laughter shared at the party, Jasim was right.
Students checked in to CELOP began their classes this week to start their 6 week and 12 week summer programs.
Science and Technology Poster Presentations Given at CELOP
Recently, students of an English for Science and Technology core class presented on their research projects at a poster presentations event. Held in the CELOP lobby, topics included neon lighting, left/right brain, biofuel, the future of energy, and bromidrophobia (the fear of body odors).
CELOP teacher Eileen Kramer, who organized the event, said that she prepared the students by looking at pictures of effective posters and discussing format and organization. Co-teacher Nora Smith took the class on a field trip to BU Scholar Day to see the engineering posters. Students did research on their topics, and helped one another create their posters and practice talking to an audience. Finally, Eileen made sure that the event was well attended by CELOP students, faculty, and staff. "I wanted to throw in the unexpected," she said, "for them to see what it's like to have academic conversations they can't anticipate, unlike a canned PowerPoint presentation." The students appeared to handle this well. Attendees engaged the student presenters in conversation about their topics, and they responded with confidence and authority. "They're really good," reacted CELOP teacher Gregg Singer. John Kopec, also a CELOP teacher, echoed Gregg's sentiment, saying that "they really understand their topics."
Some students took their posters home to show family and friends. Others donated their posters to Eileen for use in future science and technology projects. Following the poster presentation, the students reflected on the assignment and agreed unanimously that it was a valuable experience. As one student commented, "I know I'll do this again in classes and when I'm an engineer so it will help me when that day comes. I won't be afraid to show my work."
CELOP Celebrates Nauryz – the Kazakh New Year
The Kazakh New Year, called Nauryz, is celebrated on the day of the Spring equinox. It marks reconciling the old, and celebrating new life promised by the oncoming spring season. As the weather warms in Boston, and trees begin to bud, Kazakh students at CELOP and their classmates had their own Nauryz celebration in the CELOP lobby one recent afternoon. We asked some members of the CELOP community to share their impressions with us.
"I liked the tug of war," commented CELOP Senior Program Coordinator Spencer Hitchner. "I did participate and win, but I was glad that they were including audience members in the festival." Spencer said that the audience participation made the event particularly memorable.
"I liked the dances. It was very well executed," remarked CELOP Front Desk staff Mia Ballan. "The deejays were also very good."
"I liked seeing the Kazakh families that came to the event with their young children," said Melanie Greitzer, CELOP Academic Programs Manager. "They brought a nice sense of community and family to the event."
"Before I came here, I didn't know about Kazakhstan. I just know the name," commented Sonoka Ishikawa, a CELOP student from Ryukoku University in Japan. "It's a good opportunity to learn about Kazakhstan."
CELOP Student Life Coordinator Shelley Bertolino played a small advisory role to the Kazakh students who organized the event. "It was a really successful short cultural capsule. In that short amount of time, we got a very good taste of Kazakhstan. We got to learn about their traditions, we got to see a wedding ceremony, singing, dancing, and the tug of war." Shelley was very impressed with the students' preparations for the event, and commented that the execution was "organized", and "polished".
Nauryz is celebrated annually on March 22nd. According to the Kazakh embassy website, Nauryz celebrations today include a mixture of old and new, ranging from traditional events to rock concerts. "Anything goes in marking Nauryz...the more festive, the better"1.
Facebook
Instagram
YouTube